A majority of web projects are developed in three phases: Pre-Production, Production, and Post-Production. Each phase has many interim stages, and some stages overlap others. This chapter provides a sample approach of the steps involved in a typical pre-production phase.

This chapter is from the book

Objectives

Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to complete tasks related
to the following:

Defining a project

Interviewing a client

Assessing a client's needs

Developing a proposal

Reviewing available media

Organizing files

Anticipating production milestones

Introduction

A majority of web projects are developed in three phases:

Pre-Production PhaseThis phase includes making initial
contact with your client, assessing the client's needs, and developing
ideas to best present the client to the world. During the pre-production phase,
you determine a budget and schedule, collect and organize the functional
requirements of the website, configure a project flow chart, develop a proposal,
and sign a contract with the client. This phase is covered in this
chapter.

Production PhaseAfter the proposal to your client is
accepted, you are ready to begin the production phase. In this phase, you create
the assets for the website and then assemble them. With the extensive planning
in the pre-production phase, the production phase should flow smoothly with a
minimum of backtracking or unnecessary work. The production phase is covered in
Chapters 5-9.

Post-Production PhaseThe final aspect of website development
is the post-production phase, which involves testing the site, making it live,
and advertising it. Chapter 10, "Assembly, Testing, and Optimization,"
and Chapter 11, "Implementation and Hosting," covers this
phase.

Each phase has many interim stages, and some stages overlap others. The
entire web design process is continually evolving.

This chapter provides a sample approach of the steps involved in a typical
pre-production phase. Depending on the details of a particular website project,
these steps might be changed or replaced. How you handle each part of the
pre-production phase impacts the final design for the website. Overall, keep in
mind that successful planning during the pre-production phase is key to the
successful completion of a well designed website.